Edge lighted memorandum board



June 11, 1968 R. E. ADLER EDGE LIGHTED MEMORANDUM BOARD Filed oct. 1, 1965 A ffy.

United States Patent O 3,388,243 EDGE LIGHTED MEMRANDUM EGARD Ronald E. Adler, Los Angeles, Calif. (201 I St. SW., Washington, D.C. 20024) Filed Get. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 492,142 Claims. (Cl. 24d- 2) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE An edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel which can be drawn upon. The board has a primary body part with yan opening which exposes one surface of the panel and carries illuminating means at an edge of the panel. Another body part coextensively underlies the other surface of the panel and has a matte surface engaging the panel. A reinforcement portion depends from the panel and extends below the body part to support it and the panel.

Edge lighting is Well known and the construction of memorandum boards of the type under consideration can be accomplished in various ways. However, the most practical construction which will be hereinafter described appears to have been unobvious, inasmuch as the prior art relatingto this subject matter involves needlessly complicated constructions. For example, the edge lighted panel, in order to be effective, must be sealed at its edges so as to prevent light leaks as well as dust leaks; the edge lighted panel must be exposed to a substantially brilliant light source Without noticeable leakage of extraneous light and at the same time eliminating heat radiated from the light source; and the entire assembled device must be durable as well as presentable, and yet it should involve but feW parts. It is particularly important to eliminate dust particles from beneath the panel, which adversely would become illuminated upon contact with the panel surface. Heretofore, such constructions meeting the foregoing requirements have involved complexity of construction and still not altogether satisfactory for a table top memorandum board. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an edge lighted :memorandum board that effectively seals the edge lighted panel as to light and as to elimination of foreign matter, that affords the transmission of brilliant illumination while propery dissipating radiant heat therefrom, that is constructed of the fewest number of parts or elements, and which while fulfilling each of the foregoing requirements is substantial in its appearance and is in fact durable and practical.

It is another object of this invention to provide a construction and relationship of parts wherein the materials selected therefor 'are most advantageously employed, there being a lmain body part of rigid and decorative nature, there being a secondary body part of ilexible utilitarian nature and there being a third part of light reflective and heat absorptive nature, all of which are intimately cooperative With the panel to be edge lighted and with the light source to accomplish the same.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the memorandum board of the present invention.

FG. 2 is a -bottom view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on FIG,.1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional v-iew taken as indicated by line 3--3 on FIG. l.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged detailed fragmentary sections showing the typical `details of construction.

3,338,243 Patented .lune 11, 1968 ICC The edge lighted memorandum board is la substantially flat horizontally disposed unit of construction which involves, primarily, a panel P of suitable material such as, for example, an acrylic plastic known as Plexiglas or Luc-ite, and an illuminating means L such as, for example, an incandescent electrically energized lamp. 'I'he elements P and L `are the basic indispensible parts that must be cooperatively related `and housed properly in order to perform the intended functions, and the present invention involves but three parts in order to etectively relate the elements P and L; namely a primary body part A, Ka secondary body part B, and a light reflective and heat distribution part C. The said three parts are assembled and cooperatively serve to perform the objectives above set forth, and to support :and house both the panel P and illuminating means L, so that the panel is light leak proof and dust leak proof, so that the illuminating means L is accessible for replacement and whereby the radiant heat therefrom does not adversely affect the structure7 and so that the structure is sound and resistant to the normal -application of mechanical forces. n

The indispensible panel P of acrylic or the like material is a at plate of transparent material having opposite parallel `and smooth internally reflective faces 10 and 11. The panel P is solid, with a top planar face 12 to have flat seated engagement in the primary -body part A and with a bottom planar face 13 to have flat pressured engagement from the secondary body part B. The bottom planar face 13 is actually engaged coextensively by the secondary body part B which provides the opacity and color necessary to render effective the lighting of material deposited upon the top planar face 12. As shown, the panel P is a flat rectangular panel having normally related side edges 14.

The indispensible illuminating means L can vary in form providing a source of light. It is preferred to be externally powered as from a domestic volt alternating current outlet, and therefore it involves a power cord y15 and a lamp socket 16 that receives a lamp l17. The lamp 17 is shown to be an incandescent lam-p and it is one that is brilliant and which incidentally discharges radiant heat. Also, it is preferred that the lamp 17 be controlled by a switch 1S, so that the circuit can remain safely plugged into the domestic power source. In the case illustrated, the switch 18 and lamp socket 16 are integrally oined by a common bracket 19, the switch axis being disposed normally to the axis of the socket and lamp 17.

The primary body part A is the principal element of the structure and is the part that forms the fra-me and gives the structure its character and shape. The part A can be formed of various materials and is preferably formed Of a plastic adapted to be injection molded, for example of polystyrene which is substantially hard and rigid and which is readily molded in opaque colors as required. In order to provide an easily molded part without cores or the like, the body part A is constructed as follows: Body part A involves substantially inclined sides Ztl and ends 21, and a dat top 22. The sides 20, ends 21 and the top 22 are of uniform thickness sufficient to offer substantial strength and rigidity, there being an extensive opening 23 in the top so as to expose the panel P. The opening 23 is marginally smaller than the panel, there being rails 24 at the sides and one end only of the panel to engage and position the same and to reinforce the top 22. Ihe rails 24 are shown as straight integral enlargements of the top 22, being square in cross-section and depending from the under side of the top. As shown, the edges of the opening 23 are smoothly rounded and they are spaced from the sides 20 and 21. And, the depth of the sides 20 and 21 is adequately sufficient to accommodate the illuminating means L as shown.

The secondary body part B is the closure element of the structure and is the part that secures the panel P in working position to seal it against light leaks, to seal it against dust or foreign particles entering beneath he same, and it is the part that encloses the illuminating means L so that extraneous light does not escape. However, before the secondary body part can be installed, the panel P is placed within the contines of the rails 24, but extending free and unobstructed beneath the top 22 at the one end of the opening 23 where there is no rail 24. The Said free unobstructed end of the panel P substantially underlaps the top 22 and presents an exposed edge for the reception of light into the panel. In accordance with the invention, the rails 24 are of a height corresponding to or slightly less than the thickness of the panel P, to the end that the secondary body part B will press against the panel as now described: The body part B involves a panel securement portion X, a structural reinforcement portion Y, and a lamp housing portion Z; the three said portions being integrally formed and each related to an indispensible function of the device. That is, the portion X is inseparably related to the installment of the panel P, the portion Y is inseparably related to the appearance, support and strength of the main body part A and the portion Z is inseparably related to the installation of the illuminating means L.

The securement portion X of the body part B is a iiat opaque part with a matte surface of dull and dark color adapted to engage iiat against the underside or face y13 of the panel P. The portion X extends laterally beyond the edges of the panel P to be supported upon the rails 24, being attached to the rails so as to press against the panel P. Various modes of attachment can be practiced, and as shown there are openings 25 in the portion X to receive projections 26 extended from the rails of the body part A. The projections 26 can either snap into the openings 25, or they can be upset by the application of pressure and heat as is indicated. The free end of the portion X corresponding to the above described free end of the panel P, is preferably coextensive with the extent of the panel P and terminates at the said exposed edge thereof. Thus, the portion X yieldingly lpresses the panel P into working position and effectively engages the surrounding rails 24 so as to exclude entry of foreign matter between the panel P.

The structural reinforcement portion Y of the body part B is a columnar portion that depends directly from the plane of the panel P to the supporting surface. There is a column 35 comprised of right angularly related walls at each of the four corners of the panel P, the portion Y involving four walls depending from the panel P in a box form, just outside the rails 24 and between the rail ends at the exposed edge of the panel. In order to iinish the housing formed by the assembly of parts A and B, the material of the walls is continued in a bottom cover 36 that extends laterally to lit iirmly against the inside of the walls and 21. There are ribs or stems at the walls 20 and 21 to bear upon the cover 36 and the cover is dimpled downwardly at each corner of the panel P into pads 38 for supporting engagement below the lower edges of said walls. Thus, all downward pressure exerted upon the panel P and body part A is transferred to the pads 38 of the body part B.

The lamp housing portion Z of the body part B is a shiftable portion `that encloses the lamp 17. In accordance with the invention, the portion Z is both liexible and substantially heat resistant. That is, this portion provides for movability and withstands heat radiation without distortion. Therefore, a iiexible plastic material is employed in forming the lbody part B, such as, for example, polypropylene, which is both sufliciently iexible and sutiiciently heat resistant. The portion Z is a cover that projects from the plane of the above described bottom cover to which it is attached by a hinge 30. The portion Z involves a wall 31 that establishes a chamber within which the lamp 17 is housed, said wall 31 projecting to the sides 20 and one end 21 of the body part A, to tightly engage the same and thereby establishing an enclosure for the illuminating means L. In practice, the hinge is established by a reduction in thickness at or adjacent the portion X and/ or Y parallel to the exposed edge of the panel P, permitting the portion Z to be moved as a door so as to gain access to the lamp 17 when and if required.

The light reiiective and heat absorptive part C is the part which adapts the illuminating means L to the closed housing established by the body parts A and B. Essentially, the part C is a reector and heat-sink that directs light toward the exposed edge of the panel P :and that distributes radiant heat throughout a wide area of the device. In its preferred forni the part C is a metal liner 4i) of bright sheet aluminum or the like lying adjacent to and so as to protect the body part A. In carrying out the invention the liner 40 fits flat against the underside of the .top 22 "and against the inside of the end wall 21. A recess 41 is provided in the top 22 to receive the liner 4i) and so that the bottom face thereof is coplanar with the underside of the top 22. As shown, the panel P also underlaps the liner 40. Thus, it will be seen that the liner of bright material reiiects light toward the exposed edge of panel P and absorbs radiant heat so as to distribute it unnoticeably throughout an expansive area of the body part A. Further, the liner 40 includes a locating lug 42. for positioning the panel P, and a detent 43 for positioning the door-like wall 31 of the body part B. As shown, the liner 40 is provided with the lugs 42 that oppose the exposed edge of the panel so as to prevent its shifting; and the liner 40 is provided with spaced lugs 43 to stop `and position the wall 31, and is provided with a lip 45 spaced from said lugs to receive the thickness of the wall. In practice, the end 21 ,and liner 4t) is deflected relative to the body part B in order to release the door-like portion Z.

In carrying out this invention a cleaner must be employed to erase markings from the panel P and to this end the portions X and Y of the body part B are cooperatively related so as to provide a receptacle for accessibly accommodating .a package of tissues wrapped and superimposed upon a card 51 is pressed into the box like columnar recess at the underside of the device, and from which single tissues can be withdrawn as required. The frictional engagement or slight bending of the card 51 which backs the package thereby secures the package in position for convenient access.

From the foregoing it will be apparent how to construct and assemble the edge lighted memorandum board of the two body parts A and B `and additional light reflective and heat distributing part C. The several or three parts are combined and cooperatively related to so relate the panel P and illuminating means L as to incorporate all necessary features and functions required of the device. Initially the reiiector `and heat-sink liner 40 is placed in the recess provided therefor, and the switch 18 is installed through openings in the liner 40 and body part A and secured as by means of a nut 46. Application of the single nut 46 secures the bracket 19 s0 as to position the socket 16 and lamp 17, whereby the light source is properly positioned. The panel P is then positioned and secured in place by application of the body part B which completes the assembly, and all to the end that the panel P is sealed lat its end and side edges while being exposed along one edge for internal lining, so that the entire structure is adequately supported ,as a unit, and so that the lamp 17 is accessible for replacement. Together with these main advantages are other obvious and apparent advantages which make for la very practical and highly utilitarian device for the purpose intended.

Having described only a typical preferred form .and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel ladapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, :and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) -a primary body part with an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at an edge of the panel;

(b) and a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel and holding the panel against the primary body part, `and a reinforcement portion depending frorn the panel and extended below the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein.

2. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel @adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and h-aving illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part with .an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at an edge of the panel;

(b) and a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion coextensively underlying the other surf-ace of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel and holding the panel against the primary body part, a reinforcement portion of boxform depending from the edges of the panel and extended below the primary body part yto support the same and said panel therein, and a housing continuing laterally from said box-formed portion to engage the surrounding primary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminating means.

3. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light `the edge of the panel:

(a) a prima-ry body part with an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at `'an edge of the panel;

(b) and ,a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion coextensively underlying lthe other surface of the panel and having a ma-tte surface engaging the panel and holding the panel against the primary body part, a reinforcement portion depending from the panel and extended below the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein, and a housing portion continuing from the second mentioned portion and extended to engage the surrounding primary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminating means, said secondary part being formed of somewhat flexible material and having a straight line of reduced thickness to establish a hinged wall movable for access to the illuminating means.

4. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part with an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, with rails along three sides of the panel and thereby exposing the remaining edge of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at said exposed edge of the panel;

(b) and a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion fastened to the rails and coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel and holding 6 the panel against the primary body part, and a reinforcement portion depending from the panel and extended below the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein.

5. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part with an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, with rails along three sides of the panel and thereby exposing the remaining edge of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at said exposed edge of the panel;

(b) and a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion fastened to the rails and coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel and holding the panel against the primary body part, and a housing portion continuing from the second mentioned portion and extended to engage the surrounding primary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminating means.

6. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part with an opening therethrough exposing said one surface of the panel, with rails along three sides of the panel and thereby exposing the remaining edge of the panel, and carrying the illuminating means at said exposed edge of the panel;

(b) and a secondary body part comprising, a securement portion fastened to the rails and coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel holding the panel against the primary body part, a reinforcement portion of box-form depending from the panel and extended below the pri-mary body part to support the same and said panel therein, said secondary body part being formed of somewhat flexible material and having a straight line of reduced thickness to establish a hinged wall movable for access to the illuminating means.

7. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part comprising a flat top and depending sides and end Walls, there being an opening through the top exposing said one surface of the panel and with spaced side rails and an end rail to place the panel with the margins of panel engaging the underside of the top, and said body part carrying the illuminating means at the free end of the panel;

l(b) and a secondary body part fastened to the rails and coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel holding the panel against the primary body part, a box-like reinforcement portion depending from the panel and extended below the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein, and a laterally extended housing portion continuing from the box-like reinforcement portion to engage the surrounding side and end walls of the primary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminating means.

8. ln an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part comprising a flat top and de- (b) and a secondary body part fastened to the rails and coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel holding the panel against the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein, and a laterally extended housing portion continua laterally extended housing portion continuing from the box-like reinforcement portion to engage the surrounding side and end walls of the primary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminating means, and the walls of the box-like portion having opposed faces for frictionally suspending a package adapted to be pressed therebetween for access beneath the device.

10. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light the edge of the panel:

(a) a primary body part with an opening therethrough ing from the box-like reinforcement portion to en- 15 exposing said one surface of the panel, and carrying gage the surrounding side and end Walls of the prithe illuminating means at an edge of the panel;

mary body part and thereby enclosing the illuminat- (b) a secondary body part comprising a securenient ing means, said secondary part being formed of portion coextensively underlying the other surface somewhat flexible material and having a straight of the panel and having a matte surface engaging line of reduced thickness to establish a hinged wall 20 the panel and holding the panel against the primary movable for access to the illuminating means.

body part;

9. In an edge lighted memorandum board having a transparent panel adapted to be internally lighted from an edge thereof for lighting markings applied to one surface thereof, and having illuminating means to so light 25 the edge of the panel:

4(a) a primary body part comprising a Hat top and depending sides and end walls, there being an opening through the top exposing said one surface of the (c) and a light reflective and extensive heat absorptive element surrounding the illuminating means and in coextensive Contact engagement with the primary body part, directing light to the edge of the panel and absorbing heat from the illuminating means for extensive distribution into said primary body part.

References Cited pnel ailnd withl spaedhside rails anfd an eind rail' to 30 UNITED STATES PATENTS p ace t e pane wit t e margins o pane engaging the underside of the top, and said body part carryalmond 5402401- ing the illuminating means at the free end of the o ac.au panel, 2,629,043 2/1953 Holtje 24U-6,4 2,723,342 ll/l955 Neugass 240--1 XR (b) and a secondary portion fastened to the rails and 3a 2,740,957 4/1956 Davies 2% 1 XR coextensively underlying the other surface of the panel and having a matte surface engaging the panel holding the panel against the primary body part, a box-like reinforcement poition depending from the panel and extended below the primary body part to support the same and said panel therein, and

FOREIGN PATENTS 715,904 8/1965 Canada.

40 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. 

